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After
the Orissa Super Cyclone (October 29th 1999) Food For work
and subsequently the individual livelihood support were the
key interventions of actionaid. This was supported by DFID,
WFP and DEC. The project followed a systems approach to livelihoods
security. We believe that a livelihood is embedded in a system
and not just infusing in individual resource alone. FFW at
the first state ensured household’s food security of the most
vulnerable survivors, reduce migration and enhanced the purchasing
power. Once it was addressed they got enough time to think,
plan and rebuild. Work culture retained and people regained
confidence by overcoming trauma. Role of Women in rebuilding
and restoration was enhanced to more economically productive
domain. Social security and planning there of at least in
FFW for persons with disability, elderly and destitute was
thought out. A people’s forum could be created that ventilated
the voice of the marginalized cyclone victims, which I am
sure a hunger wouldn’t. Food For work (FFW) in this project
has provided the base and is seemingly the pre conditions
for ensuring livelihoods security- the key element of rehabilitation
in a disaster project. This needs clear planning and integration
with other mainstream functions. Since the life is paralyzed
in a disaster project, the dignified living must be embedded
in a design that is simultaneous to planning in farm and non-farm
livelihood function. For long-term livelihood security the
assertion of rights and good governance is necessary which
in a big way stems from ensured food security entitlement.
And FFW is proved the best in emergency.
Basanta
kumar kar
basantak@hotmail.com
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